Lawrence Messina

Seven inmates of a Flatwoods jail face charges following a riot in the facility.

Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Assistant Secretary Lawrence Messina tells the Exponent Telegram that the inmates have been placed in administrative segregation following last weekend's incident.

No prisons in the state have been flooding in recent weather events, but high waters have created issues for staff of a few facilities in affected areas.

Lawrence Messina the Assistant Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety said Mount Olive Correctional Complex and the Anthony Correctional Center have staff who are off trying to cope with floods. As a result, the facilities are understaffed.